Indonesia meets Pakistan in Asian Cup final
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Pakistan are set for a final showdown in the fourth Asian Cup Baseball Championship at Bung Karno Baseball Stadium on Sunday.
Winner of the second division's final is promoted to first division and competes at the Asian Baseball Championship in March in Taipei.
Indonesia defeated Thailand 14-10 in Saturday's semifinals in a nine-inning match.
Hitting first, Indonesia scored four runs when cleanup hitter Lukmanul Hakim sent the ball out of the park, driving home second hitter Michael Trisnadi and third hitter Andryo Haripradono. Gunawan Pramono added another run after being sent home by Jericho Gaffar for a 4-0 lead.
At the bottom of the first, Thailand scored a run through Niyom Chantasila when Teerasak Kongsabai was on the plate, closing the gap to 4-1.
The Indonesian team failed to score any runs in the second and third innings, giving the Thais a chance to take over the lead after scoring four runs.
Aphicat Ngamying drove Panya Prayonghom home from third in the second inning, reducing the gap 4-2. In the third inning, Kongsabai made a double hit to second while sending Panick Somnasang home. Kongsabai was driven home by Pairot Ruxsasri to equalize the score 4-4.
With Anusorn Montree on the plate, Ruxsasri added another run to take the lead 5-4 with two down. However, Montree was out.
Indonesia regained its lead in the fourth inning when Michael sent the ball over the fence, sending Tony Pribadi home to take the lead 6-5 with two down. Lukmanul Hakim then sent Andryo home to widen the gap 7-5.
Both teams produced four runs each in the fifth inning.
At top of the inning, Tony Pribadi sent another ball over fence, sending home Gilberto Sajogo and Yuno Dewanto at two down. Michael added one more with Andryo on the plate for a 11-5 lead.
Thailand managed to reduce the deficit when Prayonghom sent Somanasang and Kongsabai home at the bottom of the inning. Prayonghom was later driven home with Ruxsasri by Ngamying reducing the deficit to 11-9.
Indonesia scored another run when Gilberto sent Gunawan home.
Both teams made one run each in the seventh inning.
Gunawan sent Michael home at top of the inning while Ruxsasri scored Thailand's last run when Montree was on the plate for 13- 10.
With a scoreless eighth inning, Indonesia scored its last run in the ninth inning when Andryo was sent home by Gilberto for a 14-10 lead.
Thailand failed to add more runs at the bottom of the inning, even with bases full.
In earlier semis, Pakistan beat Hong Kong in a close match ending 5-4 in favor of Pakistan.
Indonesian coach Rachmad Nasir told reporters, "It was an interesting game because we have similar strengths but we were better in batting and pitching management. Both teams were engaged in a duel of strategies."
Thailand's coach, Songpon Rujivong, told The Jakarta Post that his team was outclassed by Indonesia due to lack of experience.
"Not only is Indonesia's team very strong but they are also getting better day by day during the event. We need to have more gaming experience," he said.
Hong Kong and Thailand will play for third place on Sunday morning, while Indonesia will challenge hot favorite Pakistan in the afternoon's final. (nvn)